itself before him.-What must be our feelings, when we see a man venerable from his age, his rank and his learning, like an angel of mercy giving help and consolation amidst the blessings of those whom he succoured, and offering the most affecting example of those virtues which he had himself taught. The name of Fenelon was venerated throughout Europe, and even the enemies of his country felt themselves compelled to respect hini. Eugene and Marlborough, who at that time were desolating France, were anxious to shew him that reverence, which victory and heroisin most willingly grant to peaceful talents and the unarmed virtues. Detachments were ordered to guard his estates, and his grain was escorted to the gates of Cambray. All that belonged to him was considered as sacred.-Nay, more than once the archbishop Fenelon was seen with an escort of Austrian hussars, who considered it as a distinction to be permitted to conduct him. If he possessed such an ascendant over those who knew him only by reputation, what must be the affections of those who were so happy as to approach him. He was of an equal temper, there was an elegant simplicity in his behaviour; and his conversation was, at once, copious and animated. His sleep was short, his repast frugal, and his manners possessed an irreproachable purity. As he His life, which did not exceed the ordinary term of the days of man, as it did not extend beyond sixty years, experienced the sorrow which is reserved for length of days. He lived to see all those die whom he most loved. He wept at the death of Beauvilliers and Chevreuse and it need not be added with what grief he deplored the fate of the Duke of Burgundy, that object of his paternal affections, and who, in the course of nature, should have long survived him. He soon followed his royal disciple. A violent and painful disease carried him off in six days. He suffered with constancy, and died with the tranquillity of a pure heart, who sees nothing in death, but the instant when virtue draws nigh to the Supreme Being whose work she was. His last words were expressions of respect and love for the King who had disgraced him, and for the Church which had condemned him. His memory should have the same advantage as his life; that of producing a love of religion. If its doctrine had always been announced by ministers like him, how glorious would it have been for religion itself, how happy would it have been for mankind.-What virtuous man would refuse to be of the religion of Fenelon ! ACCOUNT OF THE ISLAND OF CUBA. knew no listless hours he never applied (From the Spanish Universal Traveller.) to play; his only recreation was walking, and he made that subservient to the exercise of his benevolence. When he met the country people he was delighted to converse with them, and has often been seen sitting upon the grass in a circle of them; he would enter their cottages, and receive with pleasure what their hospitable simplicity offered to him. In the latter part of his life, he was engaged in a kind of philosophic correspondence with the Duke of Orleans, afterwards regent of France, upon those great questions which torture human curiosity, and to which revelation alone can give an answer. this intercourse which produced the Letters on Religion. It was It It was about this time that an opinion prevailed of his wish to return to court. was said also that he declared himself against Jansenism, merely to flatter the opinions of Louis XIV., and to revenge himself of Cardinal Noailles who had condemned Quietism. But Fenelon was incapable of revenge, and was formed to love the pious Noailles, though he might not think like him: besides, he had always opposed the doctrines of Port-Royal. After all, could it be in retirement and old that this incorruptible man who had never practised flattery even at court, should learn the art of dissiinulation? age, Great part of the following observationsare the result of a voyage to Cuba, by the editor of the Viagero Universal. For more particular details he is indebted to the information of his fellow-traveller Don Buenaventura Ferrer, a native of the island, with whom he embarked for the Havannah. The waters of the Gulph of Mexico flow into the ocean by two passages. One near St. Augustine's in Florida, the other uear the province of Yucatan. In the centre lies Cuba, the largest of the Antilles, in lat. 20° to 30° 15'; long. 288° 3′ to 301° 2'. Its length is computed at 235 leagues, its breadth is unequal; at the broadest part it extends 45 leagues; at the narrowest end 14 leagues. The circumference amounts to more than 600 leagues. A general temperature prevails over the island; winter never appears here, and frost and snow are only known by report. It might be asserted that the climate is a perpetual summer. The heat commences in May and continues till October. In November, December, and January, the N. wind prevails, and mitigates the heat in some degree. The whole difference between summer and winter at the Havannah is about 3o. The rains, which are of long continuance, do not sensibly affect the degree of heat. At the Havannah, they generally begin in June, and last till November, accompanied with dreadful storms; and in the neighbourhood of Santiago slight earthquakes are sometimes felt. June 21, 1791, a deluge of rain for 24 hours caused all the streams to overflow; the river Aimendariz, particularly, inundated the surrounding country, drove all the ship-timber collected there against a bridge, which had cost 80,000 piastres in building, carried it off, and formed a new bed for its waters. Nearly 200 men perished. But the tobacco-mills suffered most, as they were partly destroyed, and partly carried to the distance of two miles by the change of the stream. Cuba is highly gifted by nature; metals and minerals alone are wanting; on the contrary it abounds in other treasures more substantial. There is not one navigable river, only small rivulets and streams, and 148 lakes containing fish. The sea also supplies the inhabitants with various kinds of fish of the best quality. There is a great abundance of turtle, and on festivals no other fish is eaten. All the fine fruits and vegetables peculiar to hot climates are plentifully produced. The pine-apples are preferred to all others. The country is constantly clothed with verdure, and no tree sheds its leaves before others are ready to replace them. Some fruits yield two crops. The chief produce of the island is the sugar-cane. At present they reckon 600 sugar-mills. From these, including what is consumed in the country, more than two millions of arrobs (cwt. each) of sugar was exported to Europe. The profits, likewise, must be considerable to defray the great expenses of a sugar plantation. The duty alone amounts to some thousands of piastres. In the plantation, visited by our author, above 200 negroes were emploved. The head overseer commonly receives from 700 to 1,000 piastres annual wages; the inferior officers are paid in proportion. Tobacco is the next most important produce of the island. It is all cultivated and sold on the King's account. In 1792, 120,000 arrobs (4 cwt. each) were sent to Spain, without reckoning the quantity consumed in the country, or in other parts cf America. The export of wax that year amounted to 20,000 arrobs. Bees have only been introduced in Cuba since the year 1764. After the peace of Versailles, when Florida was ceded to the English, some families came over from St. Augustine and brought some hives with them. In a short time they increased so much, that the sugarplantations were endangered. In 1792, 6,000 arrobs of cotton, were gathered. Cocoa and indigo are not cultivated in any proportion to the extent they might be. The sugar-plantations, which promise greater gain, are the cause of those valuable productions being neglected, No part of the island is devoted to the culture of wheat, of the olive, or of the vine. Every article of clothing is brought from Europe, for there is not a single manufacture of any kind. We may easily imagine from this circumstance, to what an extent commerce must be carried at the Havannah. The amount of it in 1792, was reckoned at 25,600,000 piastres: the King's duties were 900,000 piastres. The most lucrative branch is the slave-trade. Natives, as well as foreigners, may participate in it. In 1792, 121 vessels laden with these victims, arrived at the Havannah. A free importation of them was allowed in 1789, and confirmed and extended in 1791. From that period to 1792, 2,217 slaves of both sexes were imported. If we reckon one with another at 200 piastres, the total will be 443,400 piastres. Cuba abounds with choice woods, such as ebony, cedar, caoba and guayacan, &c.. which are exported in great quantities to Spain. The highest mountains are called the Tetas de Manayna. Cattle, horses, and mules, were first introduced by the Spaniards, and they have increased to such an extent, that they reckon at present a thousand nerd of large cattle, 580 horse and sheep stalls, and 300 places for fattening of oxen, which belong to 3,600 farms, and 6,000 country seats. The Havannah must be considered as the first staple in South America. All the merchandize of the old and new world, shipped from Europe to America, or from thence to Europe, must there be landed, packed, and entered. This causes a daily increase of population and wealth. The real population of the Havannah is not given by our author. According to Raynal, the whole island, in 1774, contained 171,628 souls, of which 28,766 were slaves. Our author refers to a later estimate that states the number at 500,000; a population very inconsiderable in comparison of the extent and fertility of the island. Castle Morro is first seen in making the harbour of the Havannah. It stands on a perpendicular rock, and was built in 1584, by command of Philip II. In 1762, it was taken by the English, after a siege of 64 days. On the 12th of August following the city capitulated. Both were given up at the peace of 1753. The view of the city from the sea is delightful. It stands on a spacious plain, and is surrounded by a chain of strong hill-forts. The houses are mostly low, and lately the streets have been regularly paved. Eetween the city and a large suburb lies the Campus Martius. The surrounding country embellishes the Pospect of the Havannah, as it is always verdant and covered with an innumerable number of trees. The mouth of the harbour is about 1000 geometrical paces in width; but owing to shallow water men of war are obliged to run in and out tl.rough a canal. The harbour, otherwise, is very good, and capable of containing nearly a thousand ves sels. The depth of water, where ships can anchor near the mole, is generally eight fathom. They endeavour always, by cleansing, to keep the same degree of depth, which is the more necessary as the sewers from the city run into the harbour, and choak it so much, that it would soon become useless. Whoever enters the Havannah for the first ime, must be struck with the singular appearance of the interior. The men in the strects are either negroes or mulattoes. The whites seldom go on foot, but mostly ride in close carriages. Still more uncommon is it to see women of any rank on foot, except when going to mass; but then curiosity is very little gratified, for they are enveloped in their mantillas. The university is entirely in the hands of the Dominicans. There are six professors of theology, and six of law; four chairs are appointed for medicine, and three for philosophy. The philosophy taught there Continues to be the Aristotelian. In the conyent of Belin, children of all colours are instructed gratis, in reading, writing, and acFounts. A patriotic society has been established, where premiums are distributed for arts and agriculture. This institution is furnished with a library; and a periodical paper appears every Sunday and Thursday, under the direction of its members. A great want at the Havannah is that of good water. What is brought from the Almendariz, by means of a canal, is muddy and ill tasted. To obviate this evil, the rain water is collected in cisterns. The city has fight gates, of which only two are on the and-side. The finest building is the palace of the captain-general. The arsenal is a mile in circumference, and well supplied with sipres; men of war and other vessels are built there. The building and arrangement of the tobacco manufactory is said to have fost 200,000 piastres. The city, without reckoning the suburbs, is two niiles in cirumference. It is protected by strong rainfarts and ditches, as well toward the land as the sea. It contains a numerous nobility, among whom are reckoned twenty-two branches of the highest rank, styled Titulos de Castilla. In the suburbs all the streets are unpaved and irregular, consequently after viplept rains they are impassable. However, these parts are very populous, being generally preferred to the city, particularly in the hot eason. Persons live there more at liberty, the air is purer, and the houses more spacious. There is no regular theatre at the HavanFah; por can the conjurors, slight-of-hand men, rope-dancers, and jumpers, be consi, dered as supplying its place. The bull-fights are on a better footing; for the Spaniards cannot resign that darling passion. Still, however, they are far inferior to those in Spain. By the length of the voyage the animals lose their native ferocity, which suits the fighters here very well, as they want the necessary art and cleverness On the other hand, they supply the loss by cock-fights, which are very common. There are persons in the Havannah who keep their own initiatory cock-pits. The method of fighting is of two kinds. The cocks fight either solely with their bills, consequently the battle is generally undecided; or they cut off the left spur of each animal, and fasten on a sharp blade an inch in length. Hence the combat is soon decided by the flight, or death of one of the combatants. The flotilla of Guarda Costas consists of men of war, to protect the treasure from Vera Cruz to the Havannah. They also bring provisions from Puerto Rico, la Guayra, Cumana, and Louisiana. The garrison is composed of two veteran regiments, of two battalions each, one called the Havannah, the other the Cuba; two companies of light infantry, a squadron of dragoons, a native regiment of infantry of two batallions, a cavalry regiment of four squadrons, with an artillery corps, and different companies of negroes and mulatoes, who serve as artillerymen. The total number of troops on the island may be reckoned at 10,000: a force much too small to man the number of forts, in case of an attack on the island. The whole land and sea force, with the government of the island, are under the com mand of a captain-general. Hence the appointment is of very great importance, and always given to a meritorious and respectable general. The two governments, of the Havannah and Cuba, are subdivided into different small jurisdictions. The alcaides and governors try all civil disputes, as well as criminal cases. Where the contending parties are not military, appeals are made to the high court of the district, which is now at Puerto del Principe. The power of the captain-general extends likewise over Louisiana and Mobile. The second in command is the governor of the Havannah; who in case of absence or death of the captain-general, acts provisionally in his stead. Most journies to distant places are made by water, wherever it is possible. But should any one wish to visit the interior, though he would not be exposed to robbers and wild beasts, yet he must entirely forego all those conveniences, which travellers meet with in other countries. As there is little intercourse with the interior, the roads are bad; there is no passage over the streains; and nothing re sembling an inn. In some huts are to be found cheese, fruits, cassava bread, meat in abundance, and rum, but no place for a bed, for the inhabitants scarcely have room for themselves. On the contrary, the farmers, who live on the roads are so very hospitable, that their tables are always covered with two or three dishes for travellers; they constrain them to enter and partake of their fare gratuitously. The people in general, at a distance from the capital, are well disposed, domestic, and lively. The city of Baracoa is the inost ancient on the island. It stands on the N. E. coast, at the distance of 324 leagues from the Havannah. The population is not more than 2,700 souls. Santiago de Cuba, being a bishop's see, and having been built by Velasquez, is always considered as the capital. Its distance from the Havannah is reported to be 269 leagues. The streets and houses are distributed without order or taste. It is subject to slight earthquakes. The harbour is spacious, and secure. Its population and trade are at present on the decline, still the number of inhabitants may be reckoned at 20,000. The women are said to be the handsomest in the island. It contains different convents, and is under the jurisdiction of a governor and a civil magistrate. Puerto del Principe is the most populous city after the Havannah, containing 30,000 souls; and increases daily by being the seat of the highest court of judicature. It is distant from the Havannah 165 leagues. Twenty-two leagues from thence stands San Carlos de Mantanzas, with a strong fort, and naving a good harbour. The population 7000 souls. Holguin reckons 600. Guiza, belonging to a marquis of the same name, contains nearly the same number. In the four cities of Santo Espirito, Trinidad, Santa Clara, and San Juan de los Remedios, they reckon 30,000. Bayamo, in the jurisdiction of Santiago de Cuba, contains 12,000. Santiago de las Vegas 5000; and Bejucal, a small city belonging to the Marquis San Felipe, above 2000. Whoever travels through the country, beholds with extreme regret, the immense, uncultivated, yet highly fruitful tracts of land. He either discovers endless forests which the hand of man has not yet touched, or extensive plains covered with different kinds of cattle, kept by the neighbouring inhabitants. However, though Cuba cannot be reckoned among the most flourishing countries, and is far inferior to what it might be, yet agriculture, with commerce and the arts, are evidently progressive; and increasing opulence has not only introduced luxury, but a refinement in the objects of it. ACCOUNT OF THE SALT LAKES AND MÍNES Salt is become so general and indispensable a necessary of life among most nations, that it constitutes, at present, one of the most important objects of political economy. Russia possesses such a quantity of rich salt-mines, that the inhabitants can procure this article at a low price unheard of in other countries. Twelve millions of pouds are annually consumed. The most productive mines are on the Tlek; on the Volga, and on the Vilni; but hitherto only those on the Tlek are worked. They are 66 versis from Orenburg. From 1765 to 1787; (except the year 1775, when they were not worked on account of the disturbances) 9,770,794 pouds were collected. The largest and most lucrative salt-lakeš are; the Jelton in the government of Saratov; those near Astrachan, particularly the Inderski lake; and those in the government of Kolnevan. The Jelton produced in six years (from 1782 to 1788) 33,549,939 pouds, above 5 millions annually. The Astrachanic lakes furnished in ten years (from 1765 to 1775) 6,766,097 pouds. The Inderski lake being given up to the Uralian Kosacks for their free use, the quantity cannot be accurately stated. From the Kolnevanic lakes, from 1777 to 1786, 4,856,312 pouds were collected. Among the rest, the Tauric, Caucasian, and Irkutskian are particularly productive. The former yield annually about three millions of pouds. The richest salt-springs are; on the Kama near Solikamsk; on the Lovat near StarajaRusa; on the Donez near Bachmut and Tor; on the Volga near Totma and Balachna; in the Taurid, and in Taman; on the Dvina near Ustjug; on the Angara near Irkutsk : and in other places. The most considerable salt-pans are in the neighbourhood of Solikamsk in the government of Perm. From 1765 to 1774, 25,897,815 pouds were prepared; and in the years 1784 and 1785, 11,361,477 pouds: thus they amount to above. 5 millions annually, which, reckoning the poud at 35 copecks the market price, make a total of nearly two millions of roubles. The Permian salt works belong partly to the crown, but mostly to private persons. In 1784 and 1785, the produce of those of the crown amounted to 2,746,320 pouds, and the private ones to 8,615,157 pouds. The ex pence of a salt-pan, which contains between copecks, including all necessaries, wages; 40 and 50,000 pouds, costs 2915 roubles 39 &c.; so that the poud of salt costs the crown about six copecks. This salt is conveyed to twelve different governments, laden on large Alat boats, which, without being fastened to gether by one single iron nail, carry from 40 to 90,000 pouds. They descend the Kama as far as Laischova, and then go up the Volga to Nishnei-Novgorod the great staple. The salt-works near Staraja Rusa, in the government of Novgorod, produced in eleven years (from 1777 to 1788) 1,526,778 pouds. Those at Archangel yield about from 150 to 200,000 pouds annually. From 1765 to 1777 the imperial magazines alone sold, on an average, eight millions of pouds every year. The poud is universally fixed at 35 copecks, and as, every thing included, we cannot estimate the annual consumption at less than 12 millions of pouds, this article produces a revenue of 4,200,000 roubles, by which the crown gains at most only two millions. Yet with all this the demand is greater than the produce; and considerable quantities of foreign salt are annually imported in the harbours of Lipland and Finnland. The importation in 1768 (according to Gueldenstadt) amounted to 492,000 roubles. On the contrary, in 1793 the Taurid exported to the value of 23,000 roubles. So considerable a preponderance of importation, and the daily increasing demand, place it beyond a doubt, that the best possible regulations with regard to the present salt-works, as well as the em ploying to advantage all those mines and lakes hitherto neglected, should be one of the most important concerns for the interior economy of the Empire. [From Storch's Picture of Russia.] INDIAN PRODUCTIONS, THE ACQUISITION [Translated from the French. Vide Pano- We resume our consideration of those Indian vegetables with which we ought to desire a better acquaintance, by adverting in the next place to VII. VARIETIES OF THE PALM-TREE. The pendanus farinosus, different from that named by botanists odoratissimus: The apple palm, originally from the islands of Nicobar, which the English, on the account of it given by Mr. Bools, have transplanted into their botanic garden at Bengal. This valuable palm yields a very large fruit, weighing 18 to 25 lbs., it contains a farinaceous substance, (whence I have taken the name I have given it above) wholesome, pleasant, and nutritive. It might be easily transplanted, or rather naturalized, in the West-India islands. VIII.-The White Poppy of Bahar, yields the finest opium in the world, a commodity of extensive demand throughout India, Persia, Arabia, and Turkey. IX.-The Incense Shrub abounds principally in Arabia; but some are found in different parts of Hindoostan, such as the sandy strip, between the Mogul and the peninsula, to adopt an expression used by Europeans, northeast of Berar. This vegetable is named by Linnæus, Olibaceum, aut thus, and arbor thurifera: by the Hindoos, Alirquajar. This low scrambling tree is not beautiful; its branches are thin, few, stunted, and contorted; its leaves, like those of the lentisk, are glabrous: the bark of this vegetable, which rises only to the heighth of 9 or 10 feet in Hindoostan, where it is not common, is wrinkled and cracked by an infinity of clefts, in colour of a grey white, and shining. It produces a gum which flows spontaneously from the clefts during seven or eight months of the year. It is odoriferous, dry, friable, hard, of a red brown, and sometimes whitish; in tears oblong, or rounded, dull on the outside, brilliant within; of an acrid taste, bitter, and of a very penetrating smell, when recently distilled, especially if burnt. This aromatic. gum, useful on many occasions, is highly valued, and sold very dear, even in India. X.-The Benjoin, named in Hindoostanee, dalbeugéni, is a little gummy tree, which grows in the kingdoms of Siam and Ava, also in Java, in the Molucca isles, in Sunda, at Silote, and in the country of Tepra, near Bengal. The illustrious Jussieu, says, that the tree which produces the benjoin, is very little known to us, he gives it the name of laurus benzoin. This little tree, has an agreeable spread of leaves; it is classed by some naturalists in the family of laurels, but according to others does not belong to that genus: if I might take leave to place it according to my opinion, I should associate it with the cinnamon tree, which is well known to be of the laurel family. The Hindoos call the cinnamon dalchija; and the other as we have seen, dalleugéni. Although the resemblance of name is no authority, according to our principles of botany, to arrange a vegetable rather in such a family than in such another, yet I must say, that the Hindoos make a kind of custom of taking for the root of the word, the best known plant of the kind, and they place the name of this plant either in the first or last syllable of the appellation which they intend to form. The tenjoin shrub, or rather little tree, rises to the heighth of about 15 or 16 feet; its form is pyramidical and regular, delicate, and pretty; its leaves are nearly 5 or 6 inches in length, an inch and half to two inches in breadth; thick and numerous; in colour black green; the nerves are a red purple, many, |